Florida doesn’t really have a heating season, and while our winter nights can get chilly, our mild winters and long summers mean that air conditioning plays a much larger role in our lives. It seems the warm weather comes earlier every year, and when it does, you want your cooling system to be ready to go.
Part of that involves scheduling maintenance before you have need of the system. Early in the year makes an excellent time to do so, and with regular maintenance once a year, you can make sure your air conditioner performs its best throughout the long, hot summer to come.
In the event you need more, however, there are a number of upgrades and improvements you can schedule for your air conditioning system. Not only can they help you keep your home more comfortable this summer, but they can lower the costs of running your system and the wear and tear on individual components. Here are a few options for you to consider.
Thermostats
Thermostats are designed to last a long time, and you may have had yours in your home for decades. If so, congratulations on getting such good value out of your unit. (The sole exception is if you’re still using an older mercury-based thermostat. Mercury is poisonous and this type of thermostat should be replaced immediately.)
In addition, a thermostat which is a decade old or more likely hasn’t taken advantage of the exciting advancements in the field over the last few years. New models now let you control them from anywhere via an app or your phone, or analyze your cooling habits and make automatic adjustments to cut down on the energy you spend. They cost little for a professional to install, but the difference can be considerable.
Dehumidifiers
High humidity levels can cause major problems for your air conditioner. They make the air feel hotter and prevent the sweat from evaporating off of your skin (which is your body’s natural means of keeping cool). Air conditioners can deal with the problem, but crudely and without much precision. The results can increase their energy use and add to the strain on individual components. Whole-house dehumidifiers let you treat the problem the right way, while letting your AC focus on temperature control instead of having to mitigate the high humidity as well.
Zone Control Systems
Zone controls are installed in the ductwork, and can function just as well in the winter as they do in the summer. They’re essentially a series of shutters placed at strategic points in the system, allowing you to raise or lower the temperature in each section separately. Not only does that allow individual family members to set different temperatures in the rooms around the house to suit their tastes, but it lets you turn off the heating or the air conditioning in parts of the home you aren’t using while still running it in parts you are.
If any of these upgrades sound like a good fit for your Naples, FL home, call Bruno Total Home Performance today!
